Real Portal

MAX This is Norma Desmond. JOE (V.O.) It took her three days and she was ready She checked with her astrologer Who sacrificed a chicken She dressed up like a pharaoh Slapped on a pound of make-up And set forth in her chariot Poor Norma So happy Re-entering her kingdom MAX (V.O.) If you will…

JOE (V.O.) I guess it was five a.m. A homicide had been reported From one of those crazy mansions up on Sunset Tomorrow every front page Is going to lead with this story You see an old time movie star is involved Maybe the biggest star of all But before you read about it Before…

BETTY Stuck in Tennessee. BETTY Yes, but if he’s just a teacher Then we lose those scenes in the factory JOE Not if he’s a champion for the working man. BETTY What’s good about it? JOE Where does that get us? BETTY Sorry, I don’t usually read private cigarett cases. Don’t see what good it…

JOE Every time I see some young kid Dreaming they’ll produce a masterpiece I just want to throw them on the next train home BETTY Never thought You’d be so condescending JOE Sorry, Miss Schaefer I didn’t come here to fight BETTY Girl meets boy If that’s how you want it She’s a young teacher…

JOE Do me a terrific favour Keep them amused while I escape BETTY If you’re at Schwab’s on Thursday JOE Done. It’s still right there, right between my shoulder blades. BETTY I read One of your stories Wasn’t it Scribner’s Some magazine. Look, those guys are after my car. You want to stay and watch?…

JOE Attractive headline: “Great Star kills herself for Unknown Writer”. JOE What kind of a silly thing was that to do? NORMA Happy New Year, darling. I’ll do it again! You must have some girl, why don’t you go to her? NORMA Great stars have great pride. NORMA Go away. You’re the only person in…

Titanic Will we play spot the actor? Get up. JOE Norma, I can’t take this. Happy New Year. NORMA I had these tiles put in, you know, Because Rudy Valentino said to me, it takes tiles to tango. NORMA Yes; and you do look absolutely divine. It tickles. As if we’re visiting a gallery of…

Griffith, Cecil B. JOE You made her a star? Madame may be watching. When we met, she was a child Barely sixteen Awkward and yet, she had an air I’ve never seen I knew I’d found my perfect face Deep in her eyes New ways to dream And we inspired New ways to dream Talkies…

I had them close it down for the day. JOE What’s going on? He’s an old friend of mine. NORMA Hurry up, the birthday boy is on his way This is a surprise celebration I hope you’ve remembered everything I’ve said I want to see a total transformation JOE What’s all this? MANFRED Happy birthday,…

And then there was something else: the chimp’s last rites, as if she were laying A child to rest. There was the ghost of a tennis court with faded markings and a sagging net. MAX Once, you won’t remember If you said Hollywood, hers was the face you’d think of Her face on every billboard…

JOE Oh, my God. DEMILLE It was. I’m the one who’s been calling The name is Sheldrake. We’re willing to pay, at least a hundred dollars a week… NORMA The old team will be back in business DEMILLE Sorry, my next shot’s ready MAX Mr. JOE Someone’s been doing it for me BETTY And meanwhile…

You used to be big. JOE Look, lady, you’ve got the wrong man. NORMA Get out of here. JOE Haven’t I seen you somewhere before? I had some trouble with my car, I just pulled into your driveway. JOE Aren’t you Norma Desmond? JOE O.K. Once upon a time Not long ago The head of…

L.A.’s changed a lot over the years Since those brave gold rush pioneers Came in their creaky covered wagons Far as they could go end of the line Their dreams were yours, their dreams were mine But in those dreams were hidden dragons Sunset Boulevard, frenzied boulevard Swamped with every kind of false emotion Sunset…

JOE I’m pretty expensive. JOE Look like six very important pictures. JOE Could be it’s a little long Maybe the opening’s wrong But it’s extremely good for a beginner NORMA No, it’s a perfect start I wrote that with my heart The river-bank, the baptist and the sinner JOE Shouldn’t there be some dialogue? I…

Meanwhile, outside, JOE has moved over towards MAX and notices right away, From the LATTER’s thunderous expression, that something disturbing has happened.) MAX Mr. For the moment, nothing happens; but MAX , it emerges, is engaged in important business, Staring fixedly into the rear view mirror.) MAX If you will pardon me, Madame, the shadow…